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“My fascination with portraits came about during my third year at the University
of Cape Town. Although I had chosen to major in portrait painting, I sort of ambled
through the first half of the year. I also happened to be the only one attempting
to major in portraiture that final year.
One afternoon I was alone with a model in the art room, when in walked Professor
Sheppard. It was the end of the term and I had just done a charcoal sketch of the
model on my canvas. My teacher had time on his hands …
There after came what can only be described as electrifying. Professor Sheppard
proceeded to paint the entire portrait. When he had finished, he stood back, admired
his handiwork, took up my pallet knife and scraped off all the oil paint.
Turning to me he said, “There, now do it yourself!”
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